UAF to get IDB prize for science, tech services

FAISALABAD - Recognising its meritorious services in the field of science and technology in the Islamic world, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has announced to confer the prestigious “Science and Technology” award on the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).The IDB prizes will be awarded to institutions in the 56 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In a letter addressed to UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, IDB President Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali congratulated the varsity leadership and faculty for its services and this highest accolade. “The Selection Committee of the 10th Edition of IDB Prizes for Science and Technology has decided to award the Science & Technology prize (in the category of institutions having achieved outstanding contribution to a given scientific discipline) to the UAF,” the letter said. The prize, which consists of a cash award of $100,000, a trophy and a certificate, shall be presented to the winner by chairman of the IDB board of governors at a ceremony to be held in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 3-4. The IDB president hoped that the award would encourage other science & technology institutions in Pakistan to strive for achieving excellence.It is the third time in the history of Pakistan that the country had achieved the award. Earlier, in 2004 HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi, and later in 2008, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, Punjab University, had won the award. UAF VC Dr Iqrar Khan termed it an outstanding achievement and highest recognition of the faculty, researchers. He said that during the last four years, the UAF took tangible steps in introducing new degree programmes, setting up a community college at PARS, initiation of new institutes, research projects, impact factor publications, high volume of UAF citations, holding of seminars, conferences, workshops, trainings, faculty development programs, short term overseas trainings inland and abroad, outreach and community services, internationalisation programmes that played a vital role in promoting S&T activities in the Islamic world.